Waialua Bulldog Girls Softball Revives With Full Roster
By Jack Danilewicz
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Del.icio.usWhen the Waialua girls softball team took part in the Kapolei pre-season tournament last weekend, it meant more to them than the opportunity to play some of the top programs on the island.
The event also marked the first time since January of 2006 that the Bulldogs were able to play a game at all since they were unable to field a team last year.
“We’re excited to start again,” said coach Jay Keao, who is beginning his third stint at Waialua, after coaching in 1995 and then again from 2000 to 2004. “We used to have only nine or 10 players. We’re a small community so we’re pretty happy with our numbers. We have 14 girls right now. It’s the biggest roster we’ve had in awhile. It’s a good group.
“The girls are committed and respectful, and we’ve been fortunate to get good practices in,” added Keao, who is assisted by Rodney Dicion, Marielyn Keao and Leroy Maganoe. “We’re not as advanced as some other schools right now - we only have about three who play in outside leagues - but we’re coming along fine.”
The Bulldogs are idle this week but are gearing up for their OIA Division II season opener at Waianae March 14. While a number of first-year players dot the roster, they have veteran leadership from senior Kimberly Meyerowitz and junior Marissa Keao. Meyerowitz, who was a standout on Waialua’s basketball team, will play shortstop and pitch when needed. Keao, who started her career at Kahuku before transferring to Waialua, is slated to be the team’s No. 1 pitcher.
“Kimberly is an athlete, and she takes charge,” Keao said. “Personality-wise, she’s well-rounded. She’s been a leader out there.
“Marissa has been a pitcher for a long time (in outside leagues),” he added about his daughter.“She has good movement on her fast-ball, a change-up, and we’re working on her inside rise-ball. She’ll probably hit in the No. 3 spot.”
Among the team’s “year-round” players are a pair of able freshmen in pitcher Althia Dicion and catcher Alyssiah Hernandez. Both figure big into Keao’s plans.
“They both grew up playing Little League baseball, and they switched to softball two or three years ago,” he said.
“Alyssiah has a great bat and a lot of experience catching. Althia is like another Kimberly. She’s small and quick. She’s a great batter - that’s her strength. We’re planning on putting her in the lead-off spot - she’s consistent.”
Keao is also expecting senior Ashley Carillo to make an impact for the Bulldogs. A multiple-sport athlete, Carillo is returning to softball after a long hiatus.“Her speed is her strength, and she’s pretty quick. She’ll be an outfielder for us.”
With the potential to have speed on the base paths, the Bulldogs have been offensive-minded as of late, according to Keao.
“I feel confident in our pitching. It’s great to have the full package - pitching, defense and hitting. Our strength will be in our batting. We’ve been working a lot on our hitting, and we’ve seen progress there. Right now, it’s a matter of focusing on the mental side of the game because we have a lot of girls who are physically gifted.”
In addition to its season opener with Waianae, Waialua also has games coming up against Kaiser and Farrington at home March 18 and 26, respectively, with a road game versus Nanakuli March 20.
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